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Chapter – 33
We stepped outside the courthouse.
The weather was unusually bright and clear, yet a cold wind brushed against my cheeks. The moment Baron Taylor came out, he silently lifted his gaze to the sky.
Every client I’d seen who finalized a divorce had been happy. Relieved. Joyful.
But Baron Taylor was different. There wasn’t the faintest trace of a smile on his face.
Even the expression he used to wear when talking about Roseni—bright and childlike—was gone. He looked like someone who had lost all vitality, all hope for life, as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
After staring at the sky for quite a while, his gaze finally landed on us.
“Thank you, Counselor.”
“There’s no need for thanks… Baron Taylor, are you all right?”
I asked out of genuine concern. He looked at me quietly, then the corners of his lips twisted upward just slightly.
“To be honest, I’m not.”
“Ah…”
“But what can I do? It was never a relationship that could get better. I truly loved her. I lived believing that one day she would finally look at me… but what can’t be done, can’t be done.”
“Baron…”
“Still… I wavered at the end. When she said we shouldn’t divorce, I almost took her hand. She was my first love, and my last. For a foolish moment, I even thought perhaps this was a chance given by the gods. Even though I knew she only coveted my wealth, I still wavered.”
I don’t believe in love.
I don’t know the greatness of love, nor its purity.
I’ve never loved anyone, nor have I ever been loved. People say that even if you don’t know romantic love, you should at least know the love between parents and children—but I grew up under a father who drank and lashed out violently. My mother tried to protect me, but that was all.
That wasn’t love.
So I don’t understand love. And because of that, his feelings and actions only felt suffocating to me.
“But… seeing her mock me like a fool while carrying another man’s child made me realize there was nothing left to hope for. I might have endured it this time without divorcing. But next time, she would’ve tried even harder to ruin me, to strip me of everything I own. So I chose to stop here.”
“You might regret it right now.”
“Yes. The feeling that I did the right thing and regret keep alternating.”
“Still… you truly did well.”
“Yes. I have to believe that.”
The Emperor had remained between us in silence. Then, casually, he spoke.
“What about Chespher? What will you do about him?”
“…You mean Roseni’s former fiancé?”
“Yes. If you leave him alone, he’ll just find another woman and live comfortably.”
At that, Baron Taylor’s eyes finally gleamed.
“I can’t just leave him be. I’ll file a lawsuit for adultery. That’s possible, isn’t it?”
“Of course.”
“That’s a relief. Even if he was my wife’s former fiancé, I’ll make sure the whole world knows what they did.”
“Are you sure you’re all right with that? Once you do, this matter will spread everywhere.”
“I’m fine with it. I simply don’t want those who did wrong to live proudly. I’ll make sure Chespher can never marry again, and I’ll spread rumors so Roseni won’t be able to either. Even if someone unaware tries to tie themselves to them, I’ll make sure they know. I threw away all my pride in the name of love and let them walk all over me. I’ve done enough. I’ll erase love now and live like a proper human being.”
Finally, he smiled.
It wasn’t the warm smile filled with love he once had—but he looked far more at ease than before.
“Roseni will regret it every single day. Once she realizes what kind of trash that man is—how he flirted with other women, faked his death, and lived as a husband to another widow for five years—her despair will only deepen. Especially now, when she’s pregnant with his child.”
“Yes.”
I may not believe in love, nor feel much when I hear the word—but there was something I wanted to say.
“She lost someone who loved her for a lifetime, and was abandoned by the man who vowed eternal love. At the very least, in her memories, you’ll remain as the man who gave everything in the name of love. Whenever she thinks of being betrayed by the one she swore eternal love to, she’ll think of you as well. So… please don’t completely break.”
“I understand. Then I should gather my strength and prepare to punish them.”
“Taylor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I’ve already found evidence that she hired someone to have you killed. I’ll send it to you later—deal with it properly.”
After nodding, Baron Taylor looked back at me.
“If you don’t mind, Counselor, would you take on the case to punish them? Ah! Of course, I’ll transfer today’s fee immediately. For the next case, I’ll pay double.”
“Well, I—”
Just as I was about to say That’s fine—
“No.”
“What?”
“From now on, Raviel will be very busy handling my case. Introduce him to another lawyer.”
“Ah… I see.”
The Baron looked disappointed, but I glared at the Emperor instead.
“No, I can—”
“You cannot.”
“Ha… they say things should end beautifully.”
“You’re already beautiful enough.”
“……”
What an unreasonable tyrant. As I stood there dumbfounded, the Baron bowed deeply.
“I suppose there’s no helping it. Then I’ll take my leave, Counselor. You’ll be going with His Majesty, so I’ll depart separately. Thank you again, truly.”
It was an incredibly swift exit. As if wary of the Emperor, he vanished in the blink of an eye.
“What kind of nonsense is this?! That was a valuable client—!”
“From now on, value me.”
“Ha…”
“Still, there’s something I want to ask. Raviel—do you think what you do truly brings happiness to people? Why did the Baron have to suffer so much because of this? Does divorce really bring happiness to someone?”
I wanted to ignore whatever he said, but the man before me was the Emperor. With a deep sigh, I nodded.
“Yes. I still think so. Divorce is absolutely necessary in this world. Of course, Baron Taylor could have been happy without divorcing—but he would’ve spent his life sacrificing himself, and Roseni would’ve grown even more shameless. Let me ask you instead, Your Majesty. Do you truly believe a marriage sustained by one person’s sacrifice is happiness? After seeing Baron Taylor?”
Whenever it comes to cases, I end up speaking like this without realizing it.
“Hm.”
“My opinion remains the same. You once said there’s no perfect family without sacrifice—but each individual life within that family is precious too. If sacrifice continues one-sidedly, then I believe it’s better to stop. At least for those who even slightly wish for divorce.”
Had I gone too far? Just as worry crept in—
“Good. That was a very clear answer. You spoke without shrinking back, even in front of the Emperor. That tells me you’ll move exactly as I want.”
“…Pardon?”
“Therefore, proceed with my divorce as well. You’ve more than proven your competence.”
Ah. Right.
This man—the Emperor—had asked me to get him divorced.
“Well, that is—”
“I’ll give you a few days to rest.”
“That is—”
“I won’t force you. But there will be disadvantages. What other client is kind enough to give you time off? Think carefully.”
That was the end of it. The Emperor extended his hand.
“Let’s go back.”
“…Yes.”
For now, leaving was better than stubbornly refusing. I could go back, grab my belongings and money and run—or truly accept—or try to negotiate with the Emperor.
In the end, having given up, I boarded the Emperor’s carriage. A carriage still crudely painted black to look inconspicuous. Thanks to that, I arrived at the mercenary office without drawing attention.
“I’ll be busy for the next few days, so I won’t be coming. Do nothing. Take no requests. Just rest.”
“Yes.”
“Raviel.”
“Yes.”
“Watch yourself.”
